Accordion folding game board

ABSTRACT

A game board includes an upper surface (playing surface) and a lower surface. The upper surface includes game markings to facilitate a game. A plurality of sections are coupled together by living hinges. The living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/649,714, filed Mar. 29, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to game boards and, more particularly, to accordion folding game boards.

A board game is a tabletop game that involves counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or “board”, according to a set of rules. Current vinyl boards for outdoor use are rolled up for compact storage. To use the game board, the board is unraveled. Since the board is in a rolled position, the corners tend to flip up allowing air to blow the board and interrupt the game by knocking pieces over.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved compact storage mechanism for game boards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a game board comprises: an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold, wherein the game board comprises an expanded configuration and a folded configuration, the expanded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar, and the folded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting towards one another along the living hinges to the accordion fold.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a game board comprises: providing the game board comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold; and unfolding the game board to an expanded configuration comprising the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar; and playing a game on the upper surface.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a partially folded configuration; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention includes a game board 10. The game board 10 includes an upper surface 12 (playing surface) and a lower surface 20. The upper surface 12 includes game markings 16 to facilitate a game. The game board 10 further includes a plurality of sections 14 coupled together by living hinges 18. The living hinges 18 alternate to fold the plurality of sections 14 in opposing directions forming an accordion fold.

The game board 10 includes an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. The expanded configuration includes the plurality of sections 14 pivoting away from one another along the living hinges 18 so that the upper surface 12 is substantially planar. The folded configuration includes the plurality of sections 14 pivoting towards one another along the living hinges 18 to the accordion fold. A width of the game board 10 in the folded configuration is equal to a width of one of the plurality of sections 14.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of sections 14 includes a first outer section 14, a second outer section 14, and a plurality of inner sections 14 disposed in between the first outer second 14 and the second outer section 14. A width of the first outer second and the second outer section is greater than the width of each of the plurality of inner sections. The game board of claim 3, wherein a width of the game board in the folded configuration is equal to the width of one of the first outer section and the second outer section.

The game board 10 may include any type of game. For example, the game board 10 may include a checkers or chess board. In such embodiments, the game markings 16 may include a checkered pattern including horizontal and vertical stripes (usually of the same color) that cross each other on a white background to form even checks.

A method of using the game board 10 may include the following steps. Provide the game board 10 described above. Unfold the game board 10 to an expanded configuration including the plurality of sections 14 pivoting away from one another along the living hinges 18 so that the upper surface 12 is substantially planar, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Now users may play a game on the upper surface 12. To stow the game board 10, fold the game board 10 after finishing the step of playing the game. Folding the game board 10 includes pivoting the plurality of sections 14 towards one another along the living hinges 18 back to the accordion fold.

The game board 10 when unfolded lays flat which doesn't allow air to blow underneath the game board 10 and disrupt the game. The game board 10 may also include an outer water proof coating. When folded the measurements may be about 19 inches by 2.5 inches, allowing the game board 10 to be compact for stowage. The sections 14 may be made of a rigid material and may include eight sections 14. The game board 10 may include a waterproof cloth on the bottom and may be laminated. The game board 10 may be used outdoors or indoors.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game board comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold, wherein the game board comprises an expanded configuration and a folded configuration, the expanded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar, and the folded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting towards one another along the living hinges to the accordion fold.
 2. The game board of claim 1, wherein a width of the game board in the folded configuration is equal to a width of one of the plurality of sections.
 3. The game board of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections comprises a first outer section, a second outer section, and a plurality of inner sections disposed in between the first outer second and the second outer section, wherein a width of the first outer second and the second outer section is greater than the width of each of the plurality of inner sections.
 4. The game board of claim 3, wherein a width of the game board in the folded configuration is equal to the width of one of the first outer section and the second outer section.
 5. The game board of claim 1, wherein the game markings comprises a checkered pattern to facilitate checkers or chess.
 6. A method of using a game board comprising: providing the game board comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold; and unfolding the game board to an expanded configuration comprising the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar; and playing a game on the upper surface.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of folding the game board after finishing the step of playing the game, wherein folding the game board comprises pivoting the plurality of sections towards one another along the living hinges back to the accordion fold.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of sections comprises a first outer section, a second outer section, and a plurality of inner sections disposed in between the first outer second and the second outer section, wherein a width of the first outer second and the second outer section is greater than the width of each of the plurality of inner sections.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a width of the game board in the according fold is equal to the width of one of the first outer section and the second outer section.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the game markings comprises a checkered pattern and the game is checkers or chess. 